When “Romeo and Juliet” Becomes “Benvolio and Juliet”

On Friday, April 17th, Frostburg State University’s Theatre Department production of “Romeo and Juliet: Choose Your Own Ending” opened. This is the final production of the 2014-2015 school year. The show, directed by Mairzy Yost-Rushton and stage managed Jenny Willingham, put a modern, hysterical twist on the classic Shakespeare play by placing the fate of the characters into the hands of audience.

Romeo, played by Habtamu Anderson, is in love with the uninterested Rosaline, played by Maureen Groff, when the show begins. Romeo’s cousin Benvolio, played by Brandon Chase, and best friend Mercutio, played by Alex Serrano, are exasperated with Romeo’s fickle affections. Mercutio secures three tickets to Verona’s most exclusive masquerade ball hosted by the Capulet family. Of course, Romeo and Benvolio are a part of the rival family, the Montague’s.

Romeo is resistant to go to the Capulets’ party, but in the end he ends up going to the party where Rosaline is completely oblivious to Romeo’s existence. However, Romeo spots another attractive girl at the party who ends up being Juliet, played by Sara Danley. This is where the audience has to make their first decision: should Romeo keep pursuing Rosaline, or should he pursue Juliet? The audience decided that Romeo will pursue Juliet, and when he does, he is instantly in love with her. The issue is that County Paris, played by Kahri Blackman, is set to marry Juliet because that is who Lord Capulet, played by Peregrine Herlinger, decided would be best for her. Romeo still pursues Juliet and ends up outside of her house hoping she will come out. Juliet was talking to herself when Romeo startles her and she whips out her bow. After Romeo explains it was just him, he confesses his love for her and even reads her a poem that he originally wrote for Rosaline.

The next day, Tybalt, played by Shahzeb Hussain, clashes with Romeo, Mercutio, and Benvolio while in town. The audience had to decide whether Romeo would fight Tybalt to defend his friend and cousin or not fight Tybalt to honor Juliet. The audience ultimately decided that Romeo needed to defend his friend and cousin over honoring his new found love. Just like the classic Shakespeare play, Romeo injures Tybalt, which leads to Tybalt’s death. As if Romeo did not have enough drama in his life, he now has to deal with killing Juliet’s beloved cousin. Lord Montague asks Mercutio and Benvolio what happens, and before Benvolio sells Romeo out, Mercutio stops him and blames Tybalt’s death on a pack of rhinos. The final decision the audience makes is whether or not Romeo will tell the truth to Juliet or let her believe that a rhino killed Tybalt. The audience decides that Romeo will be deceitful which leads to a whole new issue: Benvolio is in love with Juliet. Benvolio and Juliet are just like Hans and Anna from “Frozen” on the night Benvolio confesses his love for Juliet. Not only does Benvolio confess his love, but he confesses that Romeo killed Tybalt. Benvolio and Juliet go inside and have sex, because she wanted to get out of her marriage with Paris. Romeo shows up after the dirty deed and is extremely upset over this act of betrayal.

Juliet goes to the friar, also played by Maureen Groff, so he can help her sort out all of her issues. The friar ends up giving Juliet poison, which she is supposed to drink the Wednesday before she is due to wed Paris. Since Mercutio was the only other person there to hear the plan, he is supposed to make sure to tell everyone else. Mercutio being Mercutio completely forgets to tell anyone, and it ends badly. Benvolio thinks Juliet has already taken the poison and decides to drink the rest of it himself. Little does Benvolio know that Juliet is just napping. Once Juliet wakes up and sees what Benvolio has done, she stabs herself. Mercutio and Romeo arrive too late, but the deaths of Juliet and Benvolio bring the rivalry between the Montagues and Capulets to an end.

The show was absolutely phenomenal between the contemporary use of Shakespeare’s play and the hysterical script. The audience’s interactions were priceless and added to how amazing the overall play was. The best part is that performances to follow could all be different from the opening night’s show depending on the audience’s decisions.

More performances are scheduled for Saturday, April 18, and Thursday through Saturday, April 23 to 25, at 7:30 p.m., with a Saturday matinee on April 18 at 2 p.m. It is recommended for mature audiences.

For reservations or more information, contact FSU Theatre and Dance at 301-687-7462, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 to 4 p.m. Tickets are $6 for students and children and $12 for adults. Group reservations are available.